This inspection took place on 26 June 2018. We gave the provider 24 hours’ notice of the inspection to make sure the registered manager would be available to assist us with the inspection. The last comprehensive inspection of the service was on 14 March 2016 when we rated it as Good for each of the five questions we ask. Paramount Options Ltd is a domiciliary care service that provides care and support to people living in their own homes in the community. When we inspected, the service was supporting four people. The provider had appointed a manager who registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on 3 June 2013. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Not everyone using Paramount Options Ltd receives regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.
The provider had systems in place to protect people from abuse and care workers completed training to enable them to use these systems.
The provider assessed risks to people using the service and care workers and acted when they identified possible risks to mitigate these.
There were enough care workers to care for and support people and the provider carried out checks to make sure they were suitable to work with people using the service.
The provider had systems to ensure people received the medicines they needed safely and as prescribed.
Care workers had access to personal protective equipment and infection control training.
The provider assessed people’s care needs and recorded their preferences about how they received care and support.
Care workers had access to the training they needed to deliver effective care and support.
Where it was part of their care plan, care workers supported people to maintain a balanced diet. Care workers also completed training in nutrition and food safety.
Where needed, care workers supported people to meet their healthcare needs. People’s care plans included details of these needs and the provider shared these appropriately with other agencies.
The provider and registered manager understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and only provided care and support with people’s consent or in their agreed best interests.
People told us their care workers treated them with kindness, respect and compassion. Care workers understood the importance of respecting people’s privacy, dignity and independence.
The provider consulted people about the care and support they received and responded to their views and experiences.
The provider assessed people’s care and support needs and developed an individual care plan to meet needs they identified.
The provider had systems for responding to any complaints they received.
The provider had appointed a qualified and experienced manager who had registered with the Care Quality Commission.
People told us managers were accessible and they could contact people when necessary.
The provider had systems in place to monitor quality in the service and make improvements.